[CS-FSLUG] Ultimate power laptop for Linux?

[Linc Fessenden]

Micah Yoder wrote:
> Hi all, just wondering what experience you have with new laptops and
> Linux, especially powerful ones.  I'll be getting one in late
> February, and I'll spend a couple thousand or more if there are no
> compromises.
> 
> What I REEEEEAAAALLY want:
> 17" screen, as high a resolution as possible
> Core 2 Duo processor, at least 2GHz (for the 4MB cache)
> 2GB RAM
> at least 100GB drive
> Firewire port for video capture
> Working suspend/resume -- close the lid, open it later, and it continues to work
> Wireless b/g/n(?)
> 
> Of course, this should all work on Linux as much "out of the box" as
> possible, and anything that requires binary-only kernel modules has a
> big huge ugly black mark.
> 
> The 17" screen is necessary because I hope this can be my only
> computer for quite a long time, and I don't like small screens.
> 
> Graphics -- Intel GMA950 would be great, but I'm almost convinced I
> should take the big huge ugly black mark and go with an NVidia and its
> binary kernel module.  At least they generally work well, and if
> nothing else, I can always disable 3D and have the laptop working with
> a non-tainted kernel.  An ATI that is well supported by the R300
> reverse-engineer effort might be a good compromise.  (AFAIK, that
> means an ATI Xxxx where xxx<=999.)
> 
> Brands I've considered:
> 
> Lenovo Thinkpad T60 -- looks great but only 15" screen and no
> firewire.  *Might* still be an option.
> 
> HP Pavillion dv9000t.  Looks like everything I want (with the "black
> mark" nVidia chip).  Should run Linux pretty well I think.  I saw
> conflicting reports on whether HP's Firewire ports work in Linux.  A
> totally loaded unit is just over $2100, including 512MB video RAM and
> two high capacity batteries and two 120GB hard drives.
> 
> Dell E1705.  Looks pretty good but some people say they are not good with Linux.
> 
> ASUS.  Newegg sells a pretty well loaded model for $850, but doesn't
> have everything I really want.  And adding features makes the price go
> up FAST.  They look like good machines though, and the right model
> could be an option.
> 
> What I want to do on it:
> Desktop replacement.  Everything from internet surfing to programming
> (mainly in Java with Eclipse) to video editing with Cinelerra.
> 
> Any ideas or relevant experience?
> 
> Thanks and God bless,
> Micah

Yes.  http://system76.com
Not only will they work properly woth Linux, it's guaranteed and it 
comes preinstalled.
-- 
-Linc Fessenden

In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded - Yeah right...